Rutland man's Craigslist ad lands him in court

EAST BROOKFIELD — An 18-year-old Rutland man who allegedly used a racy online advertisement to retaliate against a witness helping police investigate a robbery was freed on $300 bail Tuesday after his arraignment.

Christian D. Morgan, 18, of 7 Nancy Drive, Rutland, was charged with intimidation of a witness after he allegedly posted an advertisement on Craigslist.org.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Melia told Judge Robert J. Pellegrini that Mr. Morgan is a suspect in a larceny and that another young man had fingered him as a suspect.

"To retaliate, Mr. Morgan posted an ad in the 'male for male' section seeking, if you will, companionship," Mr. Melia said, adding that Mr. Morgan found the ad humorous.

Police said the alleged victim began getting calls from gay men seeking to meet up with him and was not sure why until a detective investigated.

Mr. Morgan's court-appointed lawyer, Albert Hayeck, said his client no longer found the action funny and "knows now that he shouldn't be joking with the criminal justice system."

He said Mr. Morgan has been trying to "straighten out his life" and was afraid of spending any more time locked up after being held 16 hours pending arraignment because no one would post his $1,000 bail.

Mr. Morgan was also charged with resisting arrest after he allegedly pushed Detective Troy Chauvin, who was arresting him. He was also charged with disorderly conduct after throwing a telephone on the floor in the police station, court documents state.

Mr. Morgan was released on $300 bail set by Judge Pellegrini and is due back in court Jan. 21.